krudawg

I've been advised by my orthopedic surgeon that the pain in my shoulder can only be eliminated with a new shoulder joint. I'm looking for input from anyone who has gone thru the surgery.
Thanks

navigatro

I have not, but a surgeon recommended I have surgery.

I got a second and third opinion, and this is what doctors #2 and #3 said (both NOT surgeons):

1. surgeons will almost always recommend surgery because that is what they know.

2. the shoulder is the most complicated joint in the human body, so surgery does not always improve the situation, and should be a last resort.

3. you will know when you are ready for surgery (when all other options have failed and the pain makes every day living/functioning impossible)

4. try every other option before having surgery e.g. physical therapy, medication, ultrasound, steroid injection, facet, etc.

5. if you decide to have surgery, have the least invasive procedure that resolves the issue.

6. if you decide to have surgery, get opinions/evaluations from at least 2 surgeons.

7. if you decide to have surgery, use a shoulder specialist (orthopedic surgeon) who has done at least 500 of the operations/procedures you are having.

8. If possible, see a surgeon who treats the professional athletes in your area.

good luck!

krudawg

I have been taking anti inflammatory drugs with minor relief. I am scheduled for a month of physical therapy to see if that helps. MRI shows moderate arthritis (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst he ha ever seen, I'm a 6). We agreed to take a month off from flying and get PT and try a Perscription anti inflammatory. At the end of the month, we will have a conversation. I will seek out a 2nd recommendation as you recommended. Thanks

zerozero

I just completed 3 months of PT for a shoulder injury where surgery was NOT recommended.

In other words, your shoulder sounds worse than mine, but I completed 3 times more PT than they told you to expect.

PT was very helpful for me, but you really have to commit to the routine. The progress can be frustratingly slow.

Just FYI.
Good luck.

rickair7777

I cured my shoulder issues with PT. Long, slow process. Six months to fully functional, a year to good as new.

Once finished, I took the rubber-band PT regimen to the cable machine at the gym and slowly started adding weight. Up to about 40-50lbs, and have had no shoulder issues or injuries for years. The trick is building and maintaining all the little muscles and connective tissue which otherwise degrades as you age. Start slow.

Gundriver64

If you have acromial bone spurs I would get surgery done. No amount of PT is going to get around this problem. There's so little space in the roof of a healthy shoulder joint that even the slightest pathology is going to cause impingements. As a triathlete, I go through bouts of shoulder pain so I have an appreciation of the suck that accompanies shoulder issues.

rickair7777

True, my issue was more rotator cuffs, but also suspect I may have had some impingement. Impingement may need surgery to clean out the tunnels, or you may be able to manage by avoiding/limiting certain exercises. I don't swim as much as, and dips are very bad. Surgery worked great for my dad, same day results.

I prefer shorter tri's these days, olympic at the most

krudawg

I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder - Turned out my rotator cuff was OK but I need some cleanout to get rid of some degenerative disease that was impinging on my tendons. The end result was more function and less pain but did not eliminate pain. My left shoulder is the problem now, and my surgeon said a cleanout would not do much good and recommended a shoulder joint.
Both shoulders ache after a trip - dragging my bag and backpack up and down the stairs to the upper deck - not to mention going thru security and commuting to and from a trip. My sense is shoulder problems are a big problem for both flight attendants and pilots. I know several flight attendants and pilots that have endured rotator cuff surgery. That's why I posted on this board. Thank you all for your inputs and keep em coming.

Fast90

Try Curcumin. Used Curcumin Pro with good results. Not an NSAID so no bleeding gastric issues. I take about five a day. Helps. Have arthritis also and have been told the eventually I will need a shoulder joint replacement replacement. That was over ten years ago. PT, and the standard rotator cuff exercises help a lot. Trick is you stop doing the exercises and the pain comes back. Did not stop. Also my chiropractor has helped with stretches. YMMV. Surgery a LAST resort.

Good luck.

zerozero

There's your problem right there.


I bet you even carry it slung on one shoulder, right?

I used to do the same thing. I no longer carry a backpack at work. And if I do in my free time, I always try to wear it evenly on both shoulders.

I mean, maybe you would have worn out your shoulders anyway, as you say, it's a very common ailment. But make it even worse by adding the stress of a backpack when you're traveling.

I really recommend one of those small bags with a handle and wheels.

Good luck.